tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post8949706855051274965..comments2024-03-29T06:46:32.237-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Two-time president of Romania / THU 11-22-12 / Pastry in Sweeney Todd / So-called African antelope / Fictional locale five miles from Jonesboro / Seinfeld character with catchphrase Jerry Hello / Early explorer of SouthwestRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-61189814148883276112013-01-03T16:40:38.144-05:002013-01-03T16:40:38.144-05:00I was also "double time warped" as a pro...I was also "double time warped" as a production error resulted in the local paper publishing this on 1/3/13 instead of 12/27/12. I still loved it though, just a week later than everybody else in syndiland. This week's B.O. ON DOCKS could have been prevented by any of the anti-perspirants that appear in next week's (confused yet?) grid.<br /><br />@DK - those are lovely sentiments, for the holidays or anytime. And whoopie pies rule!Dirigonzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03903353503511480168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58375510690265084262012-12-27T18:38:09.200-05:002012-12-27T18:38:09.200-05:00Got the gag, got most of the puzzle, but bombed in...Got the gag, got most of the puzzle, but bombed in the NE. Just couldn't accept HUSKIES which I associate with the the northwest, Washington, so figured something else must be wrong. It turns out that "king" was not a bed, and the <br />Russian was not Putin, and NOISY escaped me entirely. All those blanks after getting unknown sports and radio people!<br /><br />I sympathize with @Red Valerian, I have enough trouble with one time warp!DMGrandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-16832728113655822092012-12-27T13:23:35.751-05:002012-12-27T13:23:35.751-05:00I'm a political junkie here in DC so I know EJ...I'm a political junkie here in DC so I know EJ Dionne. We go to the same dentist, and I watched with some amusement as he tried to impress the receptionist that he goes by "EJ" and not "Elliot"Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304293013670093540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10528702289037911392012-12-27T12:05:28.550-05:002012-12-27T12:05:28.550-05:00Nice theme, and even if done before, this one was ...Nice theme, and even if done before, this one was very well crafted. I got it at RAINCHECK. Sussing the theme helped a lot, because of tricky cluing for a lot of the fill.<br /><br />Said fill being at least DECENT, IMO, though I question whether "Honorable" is a good synonym for it. There's a Venn diagram in there, I'm sure.<br /><br />@acme: are you trying to say you're out of TP? ("Meaies") I hate when that happens.<br /><br />I didn't notice it was 16 wide; I never do. No PIGLET problem, though; I was working up from the center and so had the ET in place. Gimme. Also not confused by 38a: -ESCU is a typical Romanian name ending, like -IAN for Armenia.<br /><br />CTS, one of the few BADSIGNs of fill today, is an outdated abbr. for "cents." Wanted ANAP for 71a, and was bothered by HUSKIES being in the Big East--Washington? really?--till I remembered UCONN. Sorry, guys. Another school with the same mascot is my alma mater, Bloomsburg U. Yeah, I guess this one has an awful lot of sports stuff, particularly with NBA and NL in the same corner, but that's a minor (league?) gripe. Thumbs up, Joel--and that doesn't mean "Yer out!" Spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-66036448679938371212012-12-27T11:28:23.227-05:002012-12-27T11:28:23.227-05:00I finished the puzzle completely and quickly but d...I finished the puzzle completely and quickly but didn't get the theme until coming here. The S.D. Union-Trib never prints a theme clue like "Initials, Initials." So some of us are at a distinct disadvantage. Oh well, the rest of the paper has also gone to hell. The L.A.Times has got to be the best rag west of the Mississippi. So sayeth this self-proclaimed People's Pundit.<br />Ron Diego 12/26 8:25 AMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-80832325857858185012012-12-27T11:12:46.290-05:002012-12-27T11:12:46.290-05:00Well, that was cute! Must have been hard to think...Well, that was cute! Must have been hard to think up those theme answers. No new ones are occurring to me.<br /><br />Was thinking ft---- for Civil War battle site (11D), but waited.<br /><br />Feel double time-warped, given that it's just after Christmas in syndi-land, and Thanksgiving in Canada is in October. <br /><br />Happy New Year, all!Red Valerianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04638265039015470938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-60594169485629138212012-11-23T07:22:31.683-05:002012-11-23T07:22:31.683-05:00It was ok. Seen this sort of theme before, but the...It was ok. Seen this sort of theme before, but these were good examples even if they weren't totally consistent in form.<br /><br />DIEOF/L.A. DIES is unfortunate, but since nobody gives a rat's a$$ about repeats over at the NYT, guess I should stop caring, too.Oscarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82211913327694671892012-11-22T22:00:10.861-05:002012-11-22T22:00:10.861-05:00This week's relative difficulty ratings. See m...This week's relative difficulty ratings. See my 8/1/2009 post for an explanation. In a nutshell, the higher the ratio, the higher this week's median solve time is relative to the average for the corresponding day of the week.<br /><br />All solvers (this week's median solve time, average for day of week, ratio, percentile, rating)<br /><br />Mon 7:08, 6:46, 1.05, 76%, Medium-Challenging<br />Tue 8:18, 8:57, 0.93, 37%, Easy-Medium<br />Wed 11:11, 11:49, 0.95, 39%, Easy-Medium<br />Thu 17:02, 18:47, 0.91, 34%, Easy-Medium<br /><br />Top 100 solvers<br /><br />Mon 4:09, 3:41, 1.13, 91%, Challenging<br />Tue 4:41, 4:41, 1.00, 56%, Medium<br />Wed 6:49, 5:57, 1.14, 85%, Challenging<br />Thu 9:57, 9:23, 1.06, 67%, Medium-Challengingsanfranman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/15118732156312301425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62773439971738160202012-11-22T19:34:49.479-05:002012-11-22T19:34:49.479-05:00Superb puzzle -- one of the best in a while. All ...Superb puzzle -- one of the best in a while. All of the theme answers brought wide smiles as they fell. Great work.<br /><br />EJ Dionne is especially good in his weekly discussions with David Brooks on NPR.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11148142964430987832012-11-22T17:26:06.028-05:002012-11-22T17:26:06.028-05:00I agree with loren muse smith, although she just p...I agree with loren muse smith, although she just put in in terms of how Rex might react. There is a bit of a problem with "L.A. dies first" and "die of," obviously, but I guess people didn't care because of the intricacy of the theme. There is no problem with "shiver" and "shiv," as they are not related. The similarity is only part of the fun, as pointed out by Acme. <br /><br />The puzzle was very good, but it was tough for me, partly because of the sports clues (some of which were easier than expected). Got there eventually, which is to the credit of the puzzle.Loisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10243536372689265192012-11-22T17:08:24.999-05:002012-11-22T17:08:24.999-05:00p.s. Hey now. One more U than I gave this great p...p.s. Hey now. One more U than I gave this great puz cred for. Wrong again, M&A breath.<br />(Had SeE, not SUE. Got confused. So, sue me -- or see me.)<br /><br />This puz really must've had a pretty complete set of themer answers. Nobody's bringin' up any extras for a vote. All the old M&A brain egested was:<br /> [Part of the Patriot Act that covers babies spitting up]<br />= USURPAUTHORITY<br /><br />[pardon] Bon appetit.<br />M&A<br />M and A's auditornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38433942120305299082012-11-22T15:42:58.776-05:002012-11-22T15:42:58.776-05:00Loved this puzzle!
Happy Bird Day to you!Loved this puzzle!<br /><br />Happy Bird Day to you!Sandy Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-11640756352393133732012-11-22T15:34:24.529-05:002012-11-22T15:34:24.529-05:00@merle
It's B.O. ON DOCKS
No anti-perspirant=...@merle<br /><br />It's B.O. ON DOCKS<br />No anti-perspirant= Body Odor<br /><br />Clever and funny!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-38220363242892587302012-11-22T14:35:33.988-05:002012-11-22T14:35:33.988-05:00Clever clever theme and enjoyable puzzle. I was t...Clever clever theme and enjoyable puzzle. I was tempted several times to check for incorrect letters, but successfully fought the urge, and was rewarded with a solve.<br /><br />I've been trying to come up with other answers of this theme's genre, and have been unsuccessful. How about some of you?<br /><br />So I guess our only holiday theme this week is the parade puzzle. Wishing all a happy Thanksgiving.Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09709142959535977331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20843936746922491042012-11-22T14:06:58.804-05:002012-11-22T14:06:58.804-05:00Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who comments and es...Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who comments and especially to Rex who keeps us entertained, challenged and enlightened. Thanks also to Rex for being the answer man when we're stuck (Saturday, especially)!<br /><br />I am thankful that for the past 35 years I have had the opportunity to do the NYT crossword. I have learned history, mythology, Latin phrases, weirdly spelled three and four letter words and a whole lot more, while having tons of fun. I truly believe it has kept my mind sharp (and my pencils, too.)<br /><br />Best wishes to everyone and my hope to my fellow NY'ers that things will be back to normal soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Airymomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-78279309064325400182012-11-22T13:51:50.262-05:002012-11-22T13:51:50.262-05:00Just had to add to the praise. Great theme. Fun pu...Just had to add to the praise. Great theme. Fun puzzle. Day with family. Good food. Who could ask for anything more.<br /><br />Happy Tanksgiving allRob Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-34860373194542361942012-11-22T13:32:42.063-05:002012-11-22T13:32:42.063-05:00I initially thought the maniacal laugh/Southern Ca...I initially thought the maniacal laugh/Southern California thing was going to involve Baja ha....Michael Hankohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00578621509967600184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81531111684226214242012-11-22T13:03:18.095-05:002012-11-22T13:03:18.095-05:00I Wooed Tigger before I SUED PIGLET and went Rhino...I Wooed Tigger before I SUED PIGLET and went Rhino/Oland/Okapi. Finished the puzzle before I understood the theme-DOH!syndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16814698406887041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45787559841820831192012-11-22T12:40:57.706-05:002012-11-22T12:40:57.706-05:00Never got the theme until I checked in with Rex. ...Never got the theme until I checked in with Rex. Not impressed. Puzzle defeated me. Didn't even bother checking in on Tuesday and Wednesday, the puzzles were so easy, and then this one lost me -- I don't have the right frame of reference. Got really screwed up when I tried Piglet and watched it stack next to Esposas. Esposas actually would be a better answer than Senoras. But of course, that GP at the end of 3D would be a "Bad sign". Bad sigp. Yes, like others, had woo before sue, and sue does make the clue clever. Don't get the 50A clue and answer -- yes, docks relates to longshoremen -- but WTF does boon have to do with a lack of antiperspirant? Don't get it. Not an enjoyable puzzle. Unsatisfying beginning to a four-day weekend. Ah well. Such a minor problem. On to the real deal, family Thanksgiving, wonderful family, wonderful food, and surprisingly wonderful East Coast late November weather.Merlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-71116956112491854722012-11-22T12:36:09.777-05:002012-11-22T12:36:09.777-05:00Brilliant! I was totally done with the puzzle and...Brilliant! I was totally done with the puzzle and was still completely befuddled before I got the theme. Love it!Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032302346488486116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-50228551716132407392012-11-22T12:20:37.729-05:002012-11-22T12:20:37.729-05:00Oh, man. thUmbsUp+.
When I first saw the clue &q...Oh, man. thUmbsUp+.<br /><br />When I first saw the clue "Cackling cry from a mad scientist before unleashing havoc on southern California", I knew we were gonna have a puz to be mightily thankful for. Clever. Different. Deviant. Primo. You rule, Joel dude. Couple more U's, and youda been bound for glory.<br /><br />Hapnin' TurkeyDay, puzbloggers.Masked and Anonymo5Usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5644432051656235272012-11-22T11:57:37.006-05:002012-11-22T11:57:37.006-05:00Pooh, that is.Pooh, that is.DigitalDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620300502981292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84990533483175828702012-11-22T11:56:48.046-05:002012-11-22T11:56:48.046-05:00ACME: Winnie the Poo should not be before ANYONE&#...ACME: Winnie the Poo should not be before ANYONE's time. It's not too late to enjoy the Poo books or (even better) A. A. Milne's wonderful ageless poetry -- "When We Were Very Young", "Now We Are Six."<br /><br />Too much knowledge is dangerous tho -- had EEYORE and TIGGER before PIGLET.<br />DigitalDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620300502981292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-10010088953538480972012-11-22T11:53:48.230-05:002012-11-22T11:53:48.230-05:00Great comment by anoa bob & wonderful seinfeld...Great comment by anoa bob & wonderful seinfeld mention by evil doug.<br /><br />For RAINCHECK, I wanted a clue like "Pitcher Dickey struggling."<br /><br />Happy TG all.P Dubnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-58420726038737708742012-11-22T11:43:05.867-05:002012-11-22T11:43:05.867-05:00I never realised how many residents of 100 Acre Wo...I never realised how many residents of 100 Acre Wood have 6-letter names: not just PIGLET but also Tigger and Eeyore (which, of course, I ran through before getting the right answer)>Sarahnoreply@blogger.com